Transition360 - Business Development & Brokerage Services

Proven. Professional. Principled.

Proven. Professional. Principled. | 425.224.3850
  • Home
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Selling Your Business
    • 360 Development Program
    • What We Do
    • Why A Business Valuation Is Critical
  • People
    • About Us
    • William E. Pearsall, Founder
    • Tod Fiscus, Principal
    • Dan Stone, Principal
    • Taralee Muhli, Senior Director
    • Veniça Fiscus, Research Analyst
  • Services
    • What We Offer
    • Buy A Business Services
    • Acquisition Process
  • The Difference
    • Why We Are Different
    • Trusted Affliates
    • Testimonials & Recommendations
  • Buy a Business
    • Why Buy a Business With Transition360
    • Current Market Trends
  • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Press Releases
    • Upcoming Events
    • Newsletter
  • Get Started
    • Seattle Office – Call 425-224-3850
    • Bellevue Office – Call 425-224-3850
    • Tacoma Office – Call 425-224-3850

Business Brokerage Advice for Small Business Owners Who are the Business.

December 4, 2013 By Tod Fiscus Leave a Comment

I can’t sell my business because I am the business!!…

The above howl of the Lone Wolf comes from individual service providers, solo professionals, consultants, artists, Real Estate and Insurance Agents, etc. Often home-based sole proprietors have a small niche or a special talent.
How to sell your small business

As the conductor of a one-man-band, many assume their business has little or no value to anyone else. They feel the most they can get is some value for their stuff. The hard or tangible assets like some inventory or a service truck or tools & equipment or their custom made One-Man-Band suit.
The greater value is often in the intangibles. These hidden values fall under “Ongoing Business Value” or “Goodwill”. These are pieces of value that can be identified, quantified and transferred to a new Owner by the Lone Wolf. We can show you how to sell your small business, but developing a list of your business assets.

Here Are Some Common Items That Can Help You Sell Your Small Business:

Customer Lists, Customer/Client Relationships, Trade Names & Marks, Logos & Service Marks, Domain Names, Website Content, Order or Production Backlog, Leases, Trade Secrets, Copyrights, Transferable Contracts, Non-Compete Agreements, Forms and Procedure Manuals, Data Bases, Supplier or Referral Lists, Patented and Unpatented Products or Technology or Processes, Use Rights, Licenses, Advertising Content, and many more…

A Lone Wolf Exit Strategy commonly includes a period of paid transition. Training and relationship transfer. This can be compensated in the form of employment, consultancy, and mentorship and in some cases a name licensing agreement with the new Owner.

Yes you can sell your One-Man-Band!!

As usual I’ve disguised the business in the following example.

Torn Hangnail, a loner, started and grew his special niche business for over two decades. Annual revenue hovered around $450K and after expenses & taxes he kept about $200K. His business is representing and brokering a number services to commercial and residential property owners. Roofers, plumbers, landscapers, Etc. Many of the service providers are also Loan Wolves and use Torn as their “Sales Department”. Can you have a pack of Loan Wolves?….

Torn had one year contracts with about half of his service providers but the rest are handshake relationships. The business assets consisted of a mostly blue SUV and some office equipment totaling about $20K.

Torn saved up and wanted to retire but was convinced that the business didn’t have value if he left. He didn’t want to just walk away and leave his service providers and customers in limbo.

In our first meeting I went through the “do-yah-have” list.

Remember those intangibles? Torn’s business had the following:

A database with a full history of diverse Customers. Detailed information on all Service Providers and Suppliers. A projectable revenue stream from a repeat business history. The Hangnail Services Trade-Name. A domain name and website with great content and a Quality Assurance and Control process for each Service Provider.

The twelve-month Exit Plan included:

  • Cleaning up all the QuickBooks financials.
  • Putting almost all of the Service Providers under contract.
  • A full financial retirement plan for Torn
  • Writing a copyrighted step-by-step manual of Torn’s methods and activities.
  • Creating a Buyer profile.
  • Target marketing the business.
  • Tax friendly transaction design.
  • Two month post close transition.

The business sold to a new Lone Wolf for $460K with an SBA guaranteed loan. Once again, It’s all in the presentation.

Filed Under: Business Selling, Resources Tagged With: one man band

About Tod Fiscus

Tod Fiscus is Principal of Transition360, LLC, a full service Valuation, Exit Strategy Planning & Business Brokerage Company in the Pacific Northwest that focuses on internal and external Business Ownership Transition Planning for business owners and buyers in the $500K to $20 million range. Tod can be reached at todfiscus@transition360.com or 206.226.4311 for more information.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Our Process

Our <span>Process</span>

Watch and listen on how to prepare your business for sale by Bill Pearsall.
Learn more »

Understanding Brokers

Understanding <span>Brokers</span>

Selling your business may be the most financially important decision you will ever make. Don't you want to make sure your Broker represents your interests?
Learn More »

Get Started

Get <span>Started</span>

Lets schedule some time to understand exactly what you're looking for...

GET STARTED »

Guiding Principles

Guiding <span>Principles</span>

If your agenda is to fraud your partners, your employees, your vendors, your suppliers or the government, we’d like to refer you to our code of ethics.
Learn More »

Client Testimonials

Dan Stone and the Transition360 team are top professional who are always looking for ways to improve and deliver the finest service to their clients.
Bert Holeton CMC, CPVA, CPBA
Read More »
It’s a pleasure to recommend Tod as one of the finest business development professionals in the region. In addition, he provides value above the role he serves in, looking to bring the best out in others in the team around him.
Jeff RogersCEOOneAccord Partners
Read More »
I have worked with Dan and Bill on several client transactions over the last few years and I have considered my work with them a true collaboration with the clients’ best interests in mind. They have not only a breadth of knowledge to handle the multiple issues presented by often complicated busine… Read more
Cynthia HallAttorney
Read More »
I would encourage the small business owner, currently contemplating a sale or transfer of their company, to consider TRANSITION 360 as a resource. I have found few professionals that are as experienced and qualified to assist owners in what often is the most significant business transaction they… Read more
Steve VaronHellam Varon
Read More »
Tod and the Transition360 team are an outstanding resource for business decision-makers. They are some of the best connected people in the area. When I need advice, I ask Tod as he is one of the few I know that has the depth of experience to give immediately useful advice. He has helped his firm be… Read more
Corey Hansen, MScODPersonal Training CoachHot100Business
Read More »
Tod has the leadership and integrity that you can count on in any organization. He thoughtfully considers the challenges put in front of him and brings the necessary resources to the table. It has been a pleasure working with him.
Brian M. RayfieldFinancial AdvisorMorgan Stanley
Read More »
Transition360 has a remarkable ability to see a deal that is good for both sides before anyone else at the table has seen it. The icing on the cake is that he also has the social skills to get the parties to see it, and the level of detail orientation to earn the confidence of all involved that he p… Read more
Mike DuscheSenior Sales SpecialistIBM
Read More »
I’ve finished reviewing your document and while I’m not sure which direction I would like to go, I wanted to compliment you and your firm on one of the most legible, logical, and compelling business overview I’ve seen. Your client should be very happy they have your team representing them. Great wor… Read more
VinceProspective Business Buyer
Read More »
With my 40+ years experience doing business purchases and sales, I refer clients to no other brokers besides Transition360.
Gary E. JacobsonAttorney
Read More »
Dan Stone brings a lot to the table for business owners. He has a wealth of experience in understanding the true value of a business and how to build an effective strategy for buying or selling it. Working with mutual clients, I have noted his genuine interest in developing a win-win strategy for th… Read more
Grant MonsonCertified Financial Planner
Read More »

Welcome to Transition360 | Business Brokers in Seattle, Bellevue, & Tacoma

Transition360 is the only business brokerage firm with a proven and comprehensive program that helps small business sellers and buyers through an optimal transition. Our track record of 90% successful business buy and sell transactions make us the Seattle business broker to use when you want results.

We engage with business owners that have built their businesses with sweat, risk and hundreds of hours of lost sleep, resulting in positive cash flow for a new owner to grow the company to the next level and beyond.

Business Buyers

Our Buyer Clients are proven managers with a desire to be their own boss. They have the confidence, skills and resources to take a proven business platform and build a continued legacy. They look … Read More »

Our Partners

After 30+ years of business, we’ve developed relationships with professional service providers who have proven that they understand how to … Read More »

Mission Statement

Transition360 has three primary rules: Complete Transparency No Seller Remorse No Buyers Remorse If your agenda is to defraud your partners, your … Read More »

Connect with Us

If you’re contemplating a sale of your business or in the market to buy, we’re always available for a confidential, no obligation meeting (and coffee is on … Read More »

Join Our Newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

For More Information or Questions, Contact Us at 425-224-3850 / Copyright © 2023 · Transition360 LLC